Sunshine State on a dime: Hotel deals in Miami, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale

Take advantage of Florida's family-friendly vacation destinations with the best hotel deals of the week.?

By Summar Ghias,?Contributor / October 28, 2012

Amber Levy relaxes on the beach at the Pier House Resort in Key West, Fla. in this August 2012 file photo. Florida tops plenty of tween-and-under 'Best Destination' lists for its legendary theme parks, water adventures, and family-friendly fun in the sun.

Carol Tedesco/Florida Keys News Bureau/AP/File

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Can't get your kids to stop talking about that last Florida vacation? We aren't surprised; the Sunshine State tops plenty of tween-and-under "Best Destination" lists for its legendary theme parks, water adventures, and family-friendly fun in the sun.

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Whether its back to Orlando for more Disney World magic, to Fort Lauderdale for a gondola ride in what's sometimes referred to America's Venice, or Miami-bound for some sunny relaxation, Florida's got enough to see and do for the entire family, time and again. So why not make the trip an annual family tradition? We've found plenty of bargains state-wide that'll have you squealing through Space Mountain or nestling into your beach chair in no time.

After arriving the Sunshine State, soak up the rays and ride around in a budget-friendly?Hyundai Elantra or Chevrolet Cruze, with?Sixt car rentals?starting at just $19.99 (a low by $47; expires October 31). Or, up the ante and ride in style with a?Sixt Mercedes car rental?for $37.91 per day (a low by $39; expires October 31).

Now that you've got wheels, take drive over to Orlando and make your kids' dreams come true. With approximately 450 hotels in the area to choose from, the city's got plenty of deals that offer easy access to local theme parks. Stay at the no-fuss?Best Western Lake Buena Vista, which is offering?two night stays?bundled with a?continuous shuttle service?to Disney theme parks and?daily breakfast for two?for just $138 (a low by $28; expires October 30).

If you'd rather the fun begin as soon as your luggage hits the guestroom floor, then meld comfortable accommodations and water attractions into one experience at the?Coco Key Hotel and Water Park Resort. The hotel is offering?nightly stays?for just $79 (a low by $16; expires November 1), complete with an?upgraded poolside room, a?$20 restaurant credit, and either a?reduced daily resort fee?or?four water park passes. As Orlando's largest canopy-covered outdoor water park, it's the perfect precursor to the inevitable Disney extravaganza that is to come.

Looking forward to all that Universal Studios has to offer? Get your brood's collective imagination running wild from the moment they wake up in the morning at the?Four Points by Sheraton Hotel?(from $94, a low by $30; expires November 22?). The hotel offers?nightly stays?in a deluxe room with two queen beds, complimentary WiFi, and?shuttle service?to nearby parks; Universal Studios is just across?the street.

Now that you've had your fill of theme parks, head south on a little road-trip for some fun in Fort Lauderdale. The city is known for its 300-mile canal system that resembles the famous waterways in Italy. Fort Lauderdale also has a picturesque beachfront promenade, a 3-acre park dedicated to butterflies and hummingbirds from five different continents, and plenty of chic boutiques and galleries on Las Olas Boulevard. Stay at the 4-star?Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, which is offering?nightly stays?starting at $129 (a low by $20; expires December 17). The hotel rooms boast views of either the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway.

Miami serves as the final stop on your Florida tour. Not only is the city known for its Latin flair, but you'll find plenty of beach-going opportunities, period art a la the Art Deco Historic District, and of course, a robust nightlife scene for once the kids are off to bed. Escape to the luxurious?Mayfair Hotel and Spa?in the heart of waterfront Coconut Grove for $199 per night (a low by $83; expires November 3), which includes two glasses of sparkling wine upon arrival, a?$25 restaurant credit, and a?$50 spa credit, so you can indulge in all the luxury that the hotel has to offer. Alternatively,?2-night stays?are $349 (a low by $60). It's the perfect end to a trip of fun and games that would otherwise leave you exhausted.

Florida offers the right amount of excitement and relaxation for the whole family.?But, if you've got different ideas for a vacation, be sure to check out our daily?travel deals?for other airfare, hotel, and vacation packages.

Summar Ghias is a contributor to?dealnews.com,?a website devoted to finding the best deals on consumer goods. The site pledges to list the best deal, whether or not it's from an advertiser, although it does work with advertisers to craft deals for readers.?Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger,?click here.?This feature first appeared in?dealnews.com.?

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/6uMkguS9byg/Sunshine-State-on-a-dime-Hotel-deals-in-Miami-Orlando-and-Ft.-Lauderdale

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